Drop, charge, and lose the cords
Camcorders: 3ccd or HdV? I'm confused on these two. Which is better?
3ccd or HdV? I'm confused on these two. Which is better?
by cdrdj - 10/16/06 11:03 AMI'm planning to get a Panasonic GS500 but while I was researching it, i came across HDV. Is HDV better? I've read some stuff about it but now i'm confused about it. I will mostly be using the camcorder for everyday things but also things like media class projects. I will mostly film on a tripod and in good lighting. The reason I want something like this compared to something cheap is cause i'm an editing fanatic so I hate editing grainy quality video. I've tried my schools gs300 and i loved the quality compared to my old camcorder. Also, is HDD recommended to miniDV if i'm editing in Premiere?
Also, what would the sony equivalent of the GS500 be in terms of HDV? My price range is under $1k so thats why i'm getting the gs500(don't really mind getting it compared to gs400) And on that note, is there any recommended camcorder at this price range with really good quality?
Thanks
It depends (love THESE types of answers!)...
by boya84 - 10/16/06 2:17 PM In reply to: 3ccd or HdV? I'm confused on these two. Which is better? by cdrdjMiniDV tape provides flexibility in storage option that a hard drive based camera does not allow for. There is a lot of good information in this thread http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7594-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=210249&messageID=2241206
Also in this thread, there's a link to a VERY comprehensive list of cameras, pricing and very thorough reviews.
The Panasonic GS500 is a 3CCD machine. Quite nice, but not High Definition Video. Check its specs and comps against the Sony HDR-HC3 or Canon HV10 or Sony HVR-A1U (in their "pro imaging" series, not in the list, above - they discontinued the HDR-HC1 and it got remodeled to the A1U). These 3 cameras provide 1080i, so in good light will be quite spectacular when compared to a standard definition camera. This presumes you can watch the footage on a high-def monitor/TV. These high-def cameras are a bit over your budget. They are single CMOS and tend to not do very well in low-light (grainy).
For the most part, cameras in the $800-$1000 will all provide good quality, standard def, video. The differentiators will likely be
Optical (preferred) vs electronic stabilization
Optical zoom (turn OFF digital zoom)
Availability of external mic-in jack (be sure there is one because you will want an external mic)
Availability of tele or wide-angle lenses and filters
LANC connectivity (wired remote)
FireWire/iLink/IEEE1394 for transfer
Low-light capability (you don't like grainy)
I would spend most of my time in the Canon, Panasonic and Sony MiniDV tape camera area...
HDV, unless you downsample to standard definition, will
by Kiddpeat - 10/16/06 5:29 PM In reply to: 3ccd or HdV? I'm confused on these two. Which is better? by cdrdjrequire a heavy duty computer (think very fast, multi-core) with lots of fast hard disk space. Add the cost of an editing package that can handle HDV. That's probably well beyond whatever you planned to spend.
The question about image quality is still open though
by pinolo77 - 10/23/06 8:17 AM In reply to: HDV, unless you downsample to standard definition, will by KiddpeatSorry... But I asked myself the same question and have been looking all over the internet (thankfully CNet exists). So I also am stuck in the same dilemma... From a purely Image quality point of view: do you suggest HDV or 3CCD (or 3CMOS)?
Computer power is not a problem. Budget is around 1.5k $
Thanks a lot
HiDef will run circles around Standard Def
by boya84 - 10/23/06 10:25 AM In reply to: The question about image quality is still open though by pinolo77for image quality. Yes, 3 CCD is great and all, but HiDef (1080i) picks up (4x) more information. Please note that there are 3-chip Hi-Def cameras out there - and they would provide superior low-light imaging as compared to a single chip Hi-Def camera... (but they start at $3500, so more than 2x the single-chip hi-def cameras.)
Some of this "quality" discussion could also include whatever it is you will be viewing your footage. If you have a standard def TV, then your HiDef footage will be downsampled to Standard Def (really clear, but the lowest common denominator). If you are watching a Hi-Def TV, then your Hi-Def footage will be awesome... and your standard def footage will still be standard def.
I hope this helps...
Bill
It's not an either/or question.
by Kiddpeat - 10/23/06 10:27 AM In reply to: The question about image quality is still open though by pinolo77The better HDV cameras have 3CCD sensors. That hasn't changed. The killer is your $1.5k budget. That's not very much. You probably need to figure out what you will do with HDV if you get it.
I don't know how the cheaper HDV cameras perform, and I don't know what reviews to look at to decide that. I guess you'll have to decide what best meets your needs. I don't think there is a one size fits all answer. At the end of the day, SD 3ccd cameras still yield SD, but their SD may be better than the SD that a down sampled HDV camera will produce. At the other end, the $1.5k HDV camera will not produce the quality of its higher priced siblings, but can still look better than SD.
Thank you for the answers
by pinolo77 - 10/24/06 12:15 AM In reply to: The question about image quality is still open though by pinolo77I do have a HighDef TV (Philips with Abilight2). It has PixelPlus technology and also standard def tv looks great.
The answers you provided really convinced me to go for HighDef. I agree my budget is not that high but on the other hand HighDef and 3CCD are available in that range whereas a combination of both (which is surely the best available tech) is not. So I have to decide within my budget.
I will go for HighDef.
Now... I just have to decide if I buy a "cheaper" HDV standard cam or the new and pricier standard developed by Sony and Panasonic (don't remember its name).
I found the Sony HDR-HC3 camcorder for about 1,000.- USD (1,200.- CHF) at a swiss online retailer... Whereas the new standard costs about 300.- USD more (which I would spend in other ways given the proximity of the holiday season...).
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
